Need for Speed Shift 2 Unleashed Review
Developer EA
Publisher EA
Format PS3/Xbox360/PC
Release Date Out Now
It’s long been thought that there are only really two categories of racing games, the super simulation such as the Forza and Gran Turismo series, or the over the top arcade style like Hot Pursuit or Split Second. But somewhere in between the two Need for Speed Shift is carving out a new market all of its own. In a category I like to call the “fun simulation”. It has plenty of the real life aspects but only up to a point to keep it engaging.
The racing, as you would expect follows this concept, technically it controls like a realistic driving experience, while always retaining that nice balance between fun and simulation. You are still required to keep your racing line and wait for your chance to overtake, there are no nitro turbo boosts and while you can crash out they are not always race ending crashes (depending on how many laps you have left to complete).
Even when you fail you do feel like you are constantly learning from your mistakes. When you begin the game it gives you a test lap and pre-sets your driving assists in relation to your current driving skills. These are changeable within the game but give you a good starting point to get used to things.
Shift 2 has plenty of tuning options available to upgrade your cars without getting bogged down in endless menus. The player can buy new parts such as sports brakes, turbo kits, weight reduction kits but stops short of the options such as tyre angles or braking pressures. This allows you to still feel like you have an input into the car setup without needing a degree in automotive mechanics to understand just what you’re doing. It’s intentionally kept quite easy while still giving you plenty of options to tinker with both under the hood and to the look of the car by adding stickers and details on the outside of the bodywork.
Visually the game is very good looking, EA have been producing some very nice games this year and Shift 2 is no exception. Although the overall production does have an Americanised feel to it (with loud music and flashy menu’s) this may not appeal to a worldwide audience.
The cars included, which are all real life cars have been nicely recreated to look the part, although not to the levels seen in the Forza series for example they still look pretty impressive. The most impressive side to the visuals are the track locations themselves. Some of the city races are really quite breath-taking, especially when the sun is setting and the light just catches your eye. The introduction of the helmet cam view gives the player a real sense of speed, so much so it can become disorientating.
The career mode is where i spent the majority of my time. You start out as you would guess at the bottom and work your way up through the different ranks by winning races and gaining XP. XP can also be gained within a race by carrying out different tasks that are set out for you before the race, XP is earned in a few ways such as taking a corner is a specific manner or sticking to the racing line.
This gives the progression of your character an edge over other racers. Rather than having winning as the be all and end all for the driver, Shift rewards good driving throughout the race. The career takes you all around the world to some well-known locations such as the Nurburgring, Donington and Brands Hatch along with some real life cities too like London and Miami.
The multiplayer does throw up some issues, they are not too common but from time to time you will have to endure someone’s poor connection resulting in appalling lag. When it does work it really is a joy to play. Fingers crossed this will be worked on in the coming days after release.
Overall : What you get is a really good looking, really playable racer that still holds that sense of realism while not getting over burdened by too many settings. That said there is still plenty in the game to keep the car enthusiasts happy too. Shift is the type of game you will be instantly able to pick up and play, yet it has a steep learning curve to keep you challenged and improving throughout. The AI of the other drivers is quite good if somewhat aggressive and being spun out on the last lap never gets any easier to take.
SCORE “B” Great Game
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